Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

rangerover125 · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 262

Well after a years break I'm back with a new classic caravan project and finally a classic car to tow it with.
The van is a 1971 Piper owned by an elderly couple who wanted it to go to somebody who would restore and use it.
Here's some photos. Dont be fooled by the solid looking roof beam behind the damp one, I can actually push my fingers through it

Here's the new towcar

Steve

Ranger2 · Joined: 31 Jul 2010 Posts: 30

Hi
Just checked out you pix - just thougt I would let you know the van looks to be a 1978 Piper. Abbey launched Piper from 1973 but good to see this once budget tourer being brought back to life

Ranger 2

Swampthing · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 1:19 am Post subject:

Did you get a tow-bar sorted for the Triumph? Not sure about dating the piper, if the serial number is absent, has it safety glass,that usualy means if its ordenary glass that was phased out '76ish also if no rear foglamp fitted it has to be pre oct '79 as the law required one fitting after that date.
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Nobody saw me do it, you can't prove a thing!!

rangerover125 · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 262

Found a place near my sons barracks with a towbar. It doesn't have safety glass. I do have have a 1976 receipt from when the last owner brought it second hand

Swampthing · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 1:34 am Post subject:

4 1/2 months to Belvoir Steve
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Nobody saw me do it, you can't prove a thing!!

rangerover125 · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 262

Looking forward to Belvoir, there's a chance the Dolomite might turn into a Saab 99, depends if I can get it sold before the Saab ends. If not I'll be sticking with the Dolomite. It makes a change having plenty of time to restore the caravan instead of a couple of weeks lol.
If I do keep the Dolomite Nich it needs new rear springs and shockers and an oil cooler before I tow with it, Barbie is just a bit worried it will be underpowered for towing only being a 1500 auto

62rebel · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 4:39 am Post subject:

it amazes me that, for some reason, Yanks require something along the lines of a harbor tug in terms of a tow vehicle, while you chaps do nicely with Triumph 2000's, etc etc.....

of course; the average Yank equivalent to one of these lovely caravans is something along the lines of a suite of hotel rooms AND a restaurant....

there is something inherently WRONG with us..... not enough roughage in our diet, or something.
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nothing is ever so far gone as to be unsalvageable. see this bolt?.....

rangerover125 · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 262

I think it's the weight difference between USA and UK caravans, my caravan is actually within the towing weight limit of my 1500 Dolomite but my wife is used to use towing with larger modern cars so is worried about the towing speeds. I think the heaviest van we have towed weighed 1.3 tons which wasn't a problem apart from pushing it uphill into the driveway Smile

62rebel · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject:

and here i am at my computer, looking out of the kitchen door at the 33' monster RV i bought last year as a "emergency expedient" in case things went wobbly..... 6+ tonnes of fiberglass, wood, and Chevy truck chassis.

not going to be pushing that thing ANYWHERE.

i have learned how to back it in and out of the back garden..... without whacking any trees or pushing over any fencing.
_________________
nothing is ever so far gone as to be unsalvageable. see this bolt?.....

rangerover125 · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 262

It might be heavy, but boy I bet it looks good lol

Swampthing · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:34 pm Post subject:

If the dollie is going, what sort of damage are you looking at ?
_________________
Nobody saw me do it, you can't prove a thing!!

rangerover125 · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 262

Around £900 that will cover the cost of a 1979/80 Saab 99 that I have my eye on, would have prefered British but money is tight until I've paid for my degree course for this year.
I've nothing against Saab just that I'll be going from wood dash and chrome bumpers to plastic dash and flaming plastic Euro bumpers as its one of the later models.
But Barbie is convinced it the Dollie wont tow at a reasonable speed

62rebel · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:08 am Post subject:

you can't convince her against FWD in the Saab? of course i'm assuming Dollies are RWD.... not all of them are, though, are they?
_________________
nothing is ever so far gone as to be unsalvageable. see this bolt?.....

rangerover125 · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 262

Well the Dolomite is still here at the moment so if my friend can find his old towbar I can take the wife out for a test tow lol.
They did the 1300 as a FWD and not sure if they did some of the 1500 but the majority are RWD.

bob2 · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 1728 Location: Malta

All dolomites and even the toledos are rwd, the 1300 was the fwd model.